2021 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 32 - Professions and Occupations
§ 32-1961.01 - Remote dispensing site pharmacies
32-1961.01. Remote dispensing site pharmacies
A. A remote dispensing site pharmacy shall obtain and maintain a pharmacy license issued by the board.
B. A remote dispensing site pharmacy shall meet all of the following requirements:
1. Either be jointly owned by a supervising pharmacy in this state or be operated under a contract with a pharmacy licensed and located in this state.
2. Be supervised by a pharmacist licensed and located in this state who is designated as the pharmacist who is responsible for the oversight of the remote dispensing site pharmacy.
3. Display a sign visible to the public indicating that the facility is a remote dispensing site pharmacy, that the facility is under continuous video surveillance and that the video is recorded and retained.
4. Use a common electronic recordkeeping system between the supervising pharmacy and the remote dispensing site pharmacy or allow the supervising pharmacy to access all of the remote dispensing site pharmacy's dispensing system records.
C. A pharmacist may supervise one remote dispensing site pharmacy if the pharmacist is also supervising and dispensing in a licensed pharmacy. A pharmacist may supervise up to two remote dispensing site pharmacies if the pharmacist is not simultaneously supervising and dispensing at another licensed pharmacy. A pharmacist may supervise additional remote dispensing site pharmacies with board approval.
D. A remote dispensing site pharmacy may store, hold and dispense all prescription medications. The remote dispensing site pharmacy shall:
1. Maintain a perpetual inventory of controlled substances.
2. Secure schedule II controlled substances that are opioids separately from other prescription medications used by this pharmacy locked by key, combination or other mechanical or electronic means to prohibit access by unauthorized personnel.
3. Require that the controlled substances prescription monitoring program's central database tracking system be queried pursuant to section 36-2606 by a pharmacist who is designated as the pharmacist responsible for the oversight of the remote dispensing site pharmacy before a prescription order for a schedule II controlled substance is dispensed.
4. Comply with any dispensing limits associated with the prescribing of schedule II controlled substances that are opioids.
5. Maintain a continuous system of video surveillance and recording of the pharmacy department for at least sixty days after the date of recording.
E. Each remote dispensing site pharmacy shall maintain a policy and procedures manual, which shall be made available to the board or its agent on request. In addition to any board-approved community pharmacy policy and procedure requirements, the policy and procedures manual shall include all of the following information:
1. A description of how the remote dispensing site pharmacy will comply with federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
2. The procedure for supervising the remote dispensing site pharmacy and counseling the patient or patient's caregiver using audio and visual technology that complies with the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996.
3. The elements of a monthly inspection of the remote dispensing site pharmacy by the pharmacist who is designated as the pharmacist responsible for the oversight of the remote dispensing site pharmacy, including requirements for documentation and retention of the results of each inspection.
4. The procedure for reconciling on a monthly basis the perpetual inventory of controlled substances to the on-hand count of controlled substances at the remote dispensing site pharmacy.
5. A description of how the remote dispensing site pharmacy will improve patient access to a pharmacist and pharmacy services.
